A Complete Guide To Nightlife in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan

Are you planning a trip to San Pedro La Laguna?

This post details everything you need to know about San Pedro La Laguna nightlife, including the top 5 best bars for an unforgettable night.

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Guatemala is a charming and vibrant country, and San Pedro La Laguna is no different.

Located around the magical Lake Atitlan, San Pedro is a colorful and lively town that attracts backpackers and local tourists alike.

San Pedro is known for having the most buzzing nightlife scene around Lake Atitlan.

There are heaps of amazing bars, with different events and variations of music, depending on what you’re into.

Maybe you’re interested in lake-view cocktails and live music?

Or perhaps you’re more into beer pong, tequila shots, and dancing the night away?

Or maybe you simply want to enjoy a pint and watch the big game?

Whatever type of traveler you are, San Pedro La Laguna nightlife will not let you down. All the bars on this list are great fun, within walking distance, and very affordable.

This post will detail the top 5 best bars in San Pedro, so you know exactly what to expect from Lake Atitlan nightlife.

San Pedro La Laguna Nightlife: Overview

If you don’t have time to read the whole post, below is a summary of the nightlife in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan –

Bar Sublime – events every night, varied music (techno, live music, Latino, open mic), lake view seating
Mr Mullet’s Party Hostel – mainstream music, party hostel, pub crawls, boat parties, beer pong
Alegre Pub – sports bar, TVs showing all big games, rooftop terrace, DJs, pool table
Ola Bar – amazing cocktails, super affordable, DJs, themed nights, karaoke
Zoola – techno parties, swimming pool with lake view, great food, cocktails

NEED SOMEWHERE TO STAY?

Amigos – best budget accommodation, centrally located, two rooftops, choice of private rooms or dorms for $8.

Sababa Resort – best luxury accommodation, lakeview suites, exceptional amenities & activities, swimming pool & spa. Private rooms start from $130.

Top 5 Best Bars in San Pedro La Laguna

San Pedro La Laguna is known as Lake Atitlan’s backpacker town. And where there’s backpackers, there’s great nightlife.

Although you will not find pumping clubs and crazy parties every night of the week, there are many lively bars with a great variety of music and deliciously affordable drinks.

As a general rule of thumb, the main parties are on the weekends.

That being said, you will have no trouble finding somewhere for a few beers and a dance any night of the week.

Every bar on this list offers different events depending on the day. It is therefore worth having a rough idea so you can plan accordingly.

Tip: there is a general 1 AM curfew around Lake Atitlan and, generally, all bars will close at this time. However, there is one afterparty spot that stays open which I will get to later.

Bar Sublime

Bar Sublime is the place to be if you’re looking to enjoy San Pedro La Laguna nightlife.

Located in the heart of San Pedro, Sublime is one of the best bars to enjoy some food and drink. With DJs and live music, it has a buzzing atmosphere most nights of the week.

Sublime has a different event each day, so you can plan accordingly depending on what you’re into. They have a big board outside listing their days for DJs, live music, open mic, ladies’ night, etc.

My favourite night was Latino night on a Saturday – this attracted the biggest crowd and was always packed. The vibes were unmatched.

If you’re more into electronic music, you’d be best coming for the DJ on a Thursday or Sunday. I also loved the live reggae music on a Friday.

As well as DJs and live music, Bar Sublime hosts other cool events, such as pool competitions and salsa classes. They also host a local market on a Sunday for handicrafts and clothes.

Sublime Bar - San Pedro La Laguna NIghtlife

Whilst the drinks are already super affordable, they also offer great deals. Tuesday is 2 tequila shots for 15Q ($2) and Thursday is ladies’ night, meaning half-price drinks for the girls.

The space is huge and there is plenty of seating. With big tables, it is great for socialising with a big group of friends.

As well as lake view seating in the bar itself, they also have a deck out on the lake. This is the perfect spot for sipping cocktails and watching the sunset.

SHORT ON TIME?

If you don’t have much time, you can explore the Lake Atitlan highlights on a dap trip from Antigua.

Lake Atitlan One-Day Tour with Viator ($90) – visit Panajachel, San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago

Lake Atitlan Full-Day Tour with Get Your Guide ($90) – visit Panajachel, San Juan, and Santiago. Learn about weaving, visit a coffee farm, and chocolate factory

Mr Mullet’s Party Hostel

Mr Mullet’s has gained a bit of a reputation as a party hostel and you will have no doubt have heard of it when backpacking Guatemala.

This is the ultimate social hostel in San Pedro La Laguna. It is one of the best Lake Atitlan nightlife spots in general.

You will find a lively atmosphere every night of the week and it is the perfect place to socialise and meet fellow travelers.

This hostel typically attracts Western backpackers and you can expect mainstream music. They also host beer pong tournaments, trivia nights, and give out lots of free shots.

Try to swing by for their happy hour every day from 4- 6 PM.

Mr Mullet's Party Hostel - San Pedro Nightlife

Mr Mullet’s is known for their infamous pub crawl every Tuesday & Saturday. You cannot miss this event if you’re looking to enjoy San Pedro La Laguna nightlife.

This pub crawl starts in Mr Mullet’s with drinking games and beer pong. You will then move on to 6 different bars, with a free shot in each.

If you’re backpacking Guatemala on a budget, then this pub crawl is a little pricey at 200Q ($25).

Usually, I’m not such a fan of ‘organised fun’. However, we had a great time on this pub crawl. The volunteers kept the energy high, everyone was super drunk, and the music was great.

Mr Mullet’s also hosts a boat party on Lake Atitlan every Thursday – the biggest in Central America.

Mr Mullet's Boat Party - San Pedro Nightlife

I didn’t go on the boat party as it was too expensive for me at 300Q ($40) but I heard that it was great fun. It leaves at 10 AM and comes with 5 free drinks included.

If you’re looking for a social vibe, to meet other travelers, and a guaranteed fun time every night, then you cannot miss Mr Mullet’s as one of the best San Pedro La Laguna nightlife spots.

Must Read: Where To Stay in Lake Atitlan: 9 UNMISSABLE Towns & Hotels

Alegre Pub

Located on the corner in the heart of San Pedro, you cannot miss Alegre Pub when visiting Lake Atitlan.

Alegre Pub has the aesthetic of a pub in the UK or Ireland. It is mainly a sports bar but after the game, there is always music and great vibes.

With many TVs, this is the place to be for any big football match, rugby game, boxing, UFC – you name it.

The food is Western-inspired pub food and the drinks are super affordable. They have a wide range of Central American craft beers and even pints on tap.

On a weekday, this is a great bar in San Pedro to enjoy a few drinks with friends. They play varied music to cater to all audiences, depending on the night.

If you swing by on the weekend, you will find a buzzing atmosphere. They have DJs on a Fridays & Saturdays and the dance floor is always packed with both locals and tourists alike.

As well as the main pub area, Alegre Pub has a rooftop terrace with lovely views of Lake Atitlan. Up here, there are more TVs, loads of seating, and a pool table.

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Ola Bar

Ola Bar is another one of the best bars in San Pedro Lake Atitlan.

Unfortunately, this is the only spot that I didn’t get around to visiting myself but I have heard nothing but great things.

Despite being located a little out of the center, it is well worth getting out of the well-trodden touristy center of San Pedro and experiencing a more local vibe.

Ola Bar is known for its incredible (and super affordable) cocktails. This makes it one of the best San Pedro La Laguna nightlife spots if you’re looking to enjoy some well-crafted drinks.

They have a generous happy hour every day from 4 – 6 PM, with discounts on absolutely everything. It is one of the cheapest places to drink around Lake Atitlan.

Ola Bar hosts many themed parties with a great variety of music, from reggaeton to techno and trance.

As well as DJs, Ola Bar has amazing live music and even the occasional karaoke night.

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Zoola

Another spot you have to check out around Lake Atitlan for San Pedro La Laguna nightlife is Zoola.

This hostel/bar can be a little difficult to find but it is well worth it for the extraordinary view from the bar. It is located up an alleyway.

Zoola Hostel San Pedro La Laguna Nightlife

The highlight of Zoola is its swimming pool, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Atitlan whilst you sip on a cocktail or two.

Whilst there is music most nights, their techno party on a Saturday is the real star of the show. If you’re a fan of electronic music, then you cannot miss it.

There is also a pool party every Saturday. Relaxing in the sun, day drinking, and chilling in the pool is the perfect warmup for a crazy evening of partying.

Whilst this is certainly the priciest bar on this list, they do have ladies’ night on a Wednesday and other deals throughout the week.

If you’re visiting the bar, then you should also swing by their restaurant. Specialising in Israeli/Middle Eastern cuisine, this is one of the tastiest San Pedro Laguna restaurants.

Do all San Pedro bars really close at 1 AM?

In San Pedro, and (I believe) around Lake Atitlan in general, there is a curfew at 1 AM.

This means all bars will close and stop serving alcohol at this time.

That being said, sometimes Sublime stayed open later than this on the weekends. They just turned the music down.

However, if you’re like me and cannot accept when the party is over, there is a great afterparty spot that stays open until the early hours.

It is called Club El Aguacatal. It is a little out of the center, but right on the lake. You can find the location here.

When Sublime closes, ask around for the afterparty and follow the crowd in the general direction. They play a mixture of techno and Latino music.

Lake Atitlan Nightlife: Other towns to party

Whilst San Pedro La Laguna is known for its varied options of buzzing bars, there are some other fantastic spots around the lake to enjoy nightlife –

Panajachel

As the main transport hub for Lake Atitlan, Panajachel is a popular destination for travelers.

Although I did not party here myself, I have heard that there are many cool bars and discotecas in Panajachel. I would check out the following –

Selina Panajachel
Aleph
Element
Circus Bar

San Marcos

Known as Lake Atitlan’s ‘hippie town’, you will not find bustling clubs and pumping music in San Marcos.

The vibe is much more chilled, but you will have no trouble finding some great bars to enjoy a beer or cocktail.

Instead of parties, in San Marcos, you will find much more live music, drumming circles, and ceremonies (such as those with cacao).

San Marcos is also a great base if you plan to visit the iconic Gaia Dance Temple, famous for its ecstatic dance.

Tip: San Marcos is the best town to base yourself if you’re hoping to swim in Lake Atitlan

Where to stay in San Pedro La Laguna

There are heaps of accommodation options in San Pedro La Laguna.

From stunning lake view resorts to affordable shared dorms, there is something for every type of traveler and budget.

San Pedro is fairly concentrated and you can access most things on foot or with tuk-tuk no matter where you stay.

As a rule of thumb, if you’re staying in the center near the waterfront, you can expect things to be pretty loud at night. Stay a little further out if you’re hoping for more peace and tranquility.

Amigos

Amigos is the perfect place to stay for those traveling on a budget.

Despite being called a hotel, Amigos has a hostel vibe. It is very social but certainly not a party hostel.

Where to stay in Lake Atitlan: Amigos Hostel San Pedro

Depending on your budget, there is a choice of dorms or private rooms. The dorms are clean, spacious, and super affordable. There are two rooftops for socialising.

Amigos is perfectly located in the center of San Pedro, directly opposite the popular bar Sublime. The only downside to this is that it can get a little loud at night.

The price for dorms is 60Q ($8) per night and private rooms start at 300Q ($38).

CHECK PRICES

Sababa Resort

The best accommodation in San Pedro for the luxury traveler.

Stay in style at Sababa Resort, with lake view suites, beautiful decor, and exceptional amenities.

Sababa is designed with relaxation in mind. There is a pool, spa, a delicious restaurant, and bar, as well as heaps of activities to enjoy.

Private rooms start at about $130 per night.

CHECK PRICES

How to get to San Pedro La Laguna

Getting to San Pedro La Laguna is super straightforward and there are connections with most popular destinations in Guatemala.

The most common way to reach San Pedro is from Guatemala City or Antigua. There are direct shuttles every day and the journey takes about 4 hours.

You can book directly with a tour agency or book online in advance here.

The price tends to be the same everywhere – roughly $20.

Most shuttles will drop you in Panajachel and you will have to then take a boat to San Pedro. However, there are a few direct shuttles.

We booked a direct shuttle from Antigua with a guy called Marco. He organised all our shuttles for us and guaranteed us the best price.

You can contact him on this number +502 5437 6307.

Must Read: How To Get From Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan

FAQs

What is the best party town in Lake Atitlan?

San Pedro La Laguna is certainly the best party town around Lake Atitlan.

Although you will not find bustling clubs, there are many bars with a lively atmosphere most nights of the week and a great variation of music.

San Pedro comes alive on the weekends, however, different bars host different parties throughout the week too.

It is also home to Mr Mullet’s, the ultimate party hostel for Lake Atitlan and Guatemala in general. They host iconic pub crawls and boat parties.

Panajachel, Lake Atitlan’s biggest town, also has great bars, music, and nightlife in general.

When is the San Pedro La Laguna feria?

The feria for San Pedro La Laguna is on the 29th of June.

I was lucky enough to be in San Pedro for this date and I would highly recommend it to everyone. There’s great live music, dancing, games, and a lively atmosphere over the whole week.

The only downside is the (constant) fireworks.

Is San Pedro Guatemala worth visiting?

San Pedro La Laguna is well worth visiting and absolutely deserves a spot on your Guatemala itinerary.

I was lucky enough to spend over two weeks in San Pedro and having visited many of the towns around Lake Atitlan, it was by far my favourite.

Known as the backpacker town, I was worried that San Pedro would lack authenticity and be full of tourists.

I was however pleasantly surprised. Whilst there is certainly a lot of international influence, this seems to work harmoniously with the local traditions and culture.

Personally, I think San Pedro La Laguna is the perfect base to explore the surrounding towns, and feels like getting home whenever you come back.